Vampires…

The notion of vampirism has existed for millennia; cultures such as the Mesopotamians, Hebrews, Ancient Greeks, and Romans had tales of demons and spirits which are considered precursors to modern vampires. However, despite the occurrence of vampire-like creatures in these ancient civilizations, the folklore for the entity we know today as the vampire originates almost exclusively from early 18th century Southeastern Europe, when verbal traditions of many ethnic groups of the region were recorded and published. In most cases, vampires are revenants of evil beings, suicide victims, or witches, but they can also be created by a malevolent spirit possessing a corpse or by being bitten by a vampire. Belief in such legends became so pervasive that in some areas it caused mass hysteria and even public executions of people believed to be vampires.

Description and common attributes…

It is difficult to make a single, definitive description of the folkloric vampire, though there are several elements common to many European legends. Vampires were usually reported as bloated in appearance, and ruddy, purplish, or dark in colour; these characteristics were often attributed to the recent drinking of blood. Indeed, blood was often seen seeping from the mouth and nose when one was seen in its shroud or coffin and its left eye was often open. It would be clad in the linen shroud it was buried in, and its teeth, hair, and nails may have grown somewhat, though in general fangs were not a feature.

Other attributes varied greatly from culture to culture; some vampires, such as those found in Transylvanian tales, were gaunt, pale, and had long fingernails, while those from Bulgaria only had one nostril, and Bavarian vampires slept with thumbs crossed and one eye open. Moravian vampires only attacked while naked, and those of Albanian folklore wore high-heeled shoes. As stories of vampires spread throughout the globe to the Americas and elsewhere, so did the varied and sometimes bizarre descriptions of them: Mexican vampires had a bare skull instead of a head, Brazilian vampires had furry feet and vampires from the Rocky Mountains only sucked blood with their noses and from the victim’s ears. Common attributes were sometimes described, such as red hair. Some were reported to be able to transform into bats, rats, dogs, wolves, spiders and even moths. From these various legends, works of literature such as Bram Stoker’s Dracula, and the influences of historical bloodthirsty figures such as Gilles de Rais, Elizabeth Báthory, and Vlad Ţepeş, the vampire developed into the modern stereotype.

Creating vampires…

The causes of vampiric generation were many and varied in original folklore. In Slavic and Chinese traditions, any corpse which was jumped over by an animal, particularly a dog or a cat, was feared to become one of the undead. A body with a wound which had not been treated with boiling water was also at risk. In Russian folklore, vampires were said to have once been witches or people who had rebelled against the Church while they were alive.

Cultural practices often arose that were intended to prevent a recently deceased loved one from turning into an undead revenant. Burying a corpse upside-down was widespread, as was placing earthly objects, such as scythes or sickles, near the grave to satisfy any demons entering the body or to appease the dead so that it would not wish to arise from its coffin. This method resembles the Ancient Greek practice of placing an obolus in the corpse’s mouth to pay the toll to cross the River Styx in the underworld; it has been argued that instead, the coin was intended to ward off any evil spirits from entering the body, and this may have influenced later vampire folklore. This tradition persisted in modern Greek folklore about the vrykolakas, in which a wax cross and piece of pottery with the inscription “Jesus Christ conquers” were placed on the corpse to prevent the body from becoming a vampire. Other methods commonly practised in Europe included severing the tendons at the knees or placing poppy seeds, millet, or sand on the ground at the grave site of a presumed vampire; this was intended to keep the vampire occupied all night by counting the fallen grains. Similar Chinese narratives state that if a vampire-like being came across a sack of rice, it would have to count every grain; this is a theme encountered in myths from the Indian subcontinent as well as in South American tales of witches and other sorts of evil or mischievous spirits or beings.

Identifying vampires…

Many elaborate rituals were used to identify a vampire. One method of finding a vampire’s grave involved leading a virgin boy through a graveyard or church grounds on a virgin stallion—the horse would supposedly balk at the grave in question. Generally a black horse was required, though in Albania it should be white. Holes appearing in the earth over a grave were taken as a sign of vampirism.

Corpses thought to be vampires were generally described as having a healthier appearance than expected, plump and showing little or no signs of decomposition. In some cases, when suspected graves were opened, villagers even described the corpse as having fresh blood from a victim all over its face. Evidence that a vampire was active in a given locality included death of cattle, sheep, relatives or neighbours. Folkloric vampires could also make their presence felt by engaging in minor poltergeist-like activity, such as hurling stones on roofs or moving household objects, and pressing on people in their sleep.

Introduction to the Temple of the Vampire …

The Temple of the Vampire (ToV) is presently viewed as a Left-Hand Path organization. They presently enjoy the support of, Rev. Peter H. Gilmore’s, Church of Satan. Many people who are attracted to the darker side of philosophy and spirituality have sought entry into the Temple.

The Vampire Temple(www.vampiretemple.com) is a group based out of Washington who have created the world’s ‘only'(according to them) vampire religion. It is an official, state-recognized religion, and has been established since 1989.
They are semi-secretive, in that anyone interested in vampires will likely eventually stumble aross their site – but to learn much about them, you have to dig. Surprisingly there is not much to be found out about them online beyond the information provided on their website.
Members of the ToV are taught that there are two perspectives that the member must employ in order to achieve a state of knowing, which they refer to as the Twilight. The first mindset is called the Dayside. In it the member utilizes a reality tunnel not dissimilar to Satanism or what is generally called the Left-Hand Path. Within such a mindset the member is supposed to question all things; exalting reason and science over blind belief. The member is supposed to be in the Dayside anytime he or she is not attempting to practice the teachings of the ToV.

The other perspective employed by the membership is referred to as the Nightside Perspective. Within that frame the member attempts to test the teachings of the Temple of the Vampire. The mindset is one of faith and obedience to doctrine. Therein the member attempts to find the truth within the teachings by testing what is said. As an example: If a member wishes to know whether drawing lifeforce from humans is possible he takes on the mindset of someone who blindly believes everything the ToV states and then attempts to do the action.

The ToV is adamantly against any of its members blindly believing in anything that is stated in its published works in keeping with the understanding that nothing can be known through faith but only through what can be verified. However, let the record show that its adherents quite often accept the grandiose claims of the organization. Such claims that members have demonstrated a blind belief in (with a disregard for evidence, facts and history) are as follows:

There is life after death, but it can only be attained through communion with certain beings (Undead Gods).

The ToV is the only path to immortality.

Vampires oversee the Illuminanti, Masons, Royal & Sovereign Order of the Dragon, Catholic Church & other powerful and secretive organizations.

Vampires control the world.

There is going to be a massive culling of humans in the near future. Loyal members of the ToV will rule the humans who survive the culling alongside the Undead Gods.

Members of the ToV control powerful corporations.

By following and practicing the teachings of the ToV and being loyal to the Undead Gods a member will come to have the ability to take on a new body after their present body dies.

The ToV doesn’t actually need the money it generates from selling memberships or goods, they just require it as a test of sincerity and loyalty.

Yes, Vampires do exist. Thank you for your interest. The followinginformation should answer your wider questions concerning who and whatwe are, and what that may mean to you._________________________________________________________________THE HISTORY OF THE TEMPLE.The Temple of the Vampire is an ancient religion now registered withthe federal government of the United States and possessing aninternational membership. Shrouded in secrecy, the Temple has beenknown in historical times by many different names to include The Orderof the Dragon, The Temple of the Dragon and, in ancient Sumeria, asHEKAL TIAMAT (The Temple of the Vampire Dragon Goddess Tiamat).Membership until the present time has been closed except by personalsponsorship and invitation, subject to the approval of the InnerCouncil.THE MODERN TEMPLEThe modern Temple is a carefully calculated experiment to morepublicly reach those who may be of the Body of the Blood yet unawareof their full heritage. We seek only those who have become aware oftheir unique difference from the mass herd of humanity, those whoresonate with the Dark of the Night, those who have recognized theirnature as predators, those who sense there is something more to lifeand want to possess it.VAMPIRES EXIST.Vampires are the predators of humans. We have come from the humanstock but represent the next stage in human evolution: we who acceptand glory in our predatory nature. We fully accept our bestialinstincts and origins while applying the power of our minds and Willto the achievement of our deepest desires through earthly and magicalmeans. We are the Masters of the World. Our reach extends from thehighest corporate executive offices to the most secluded countryestates. Our membership includes virtually every profession andlifestyle. We have a rational plan for the world and for our ownpersonal physical immortality. We are the few who truly rule thismaterial world and those who throw their lot with us are wise indeed.Many are called. Few are chosen. Fewer, still, enter.THE RELIGION OF VAMPIRISM.Thus the religion of Vampirism has been and remains the Religion ofthe Rulers. Ours is a selfish and brutal philosophy dedicated topersonal survival and triumph. We have no interest in humanity as awhole other than in how they may serve us. At the same time all otherreligions of the world were founded and continue to be directed bythose of our kind. The religions we have created for humanity aredesigned to curb human pride and inculcate a slave mentality. TheVampire knows that there is no God who loves or cares for humanity forit is we who created and taught them their idea of God. In truth, weare the Gods of humankind while remaining atheists ourselves.DANGEROUS BUT NOT CRIMINAL.The Vampire is dedicated to the rational enjoyment of life. Nopleasure is forbidden or sinful to the Vampire. At the same time theVampire respects the reality of causality and is not a mindlesshedonist. Therefore all members of the Temple of the Vampire areforbidden from criminal acts within the laws of their own society'sgovernment or governments. Any person found to be involved in criminalactivity will be promptly reported to the appropriate law enforcementauthorities, and immediately and irrevocably expelled from the Temple.There will be no exceptions.THE EARTHLY VAMPIRE.The Dayside of the Vampire's personality is that of the skepticalmaterialist who approaches life with a no-nonsense perspective. Thekey word here is doubt. We laugh in scorn at the humans who findthemselves believing in the superstitious nonsense which our kindcreated for their control. The earthly Dayside Vampire is dedicated topersonal, material mastery of life. While this seldom entails theseeking of monetary wealth to the exclusion of personal pleasure, theReligion of the Rulers leads one toward material success as a naturalconsequence of respecting the realities of the world as it is.THE MAGICAL VAMPIRE.In Ritual and other magical acts, the Vampire exhibits the Nightsideof his personality. The key word here is belief. The Vampire learns toslip in and out of belief systems as they serve him, and absolutebelief in magic is only engaged in when magic is actually used. Themany powers of the Vampire (to include shapeshifting, flying, mesmericpower, superhuman strength and physical immortality) are accepted asreal first within the Nightside of the Vampire's mind. Here, from theWill's connection to the Powers of Darkness, the fantasies of powerbecome realities. These realities are manifested in what are calledout-of-body lucid dreams and are approached by the sincere anddedicated application of the Higher Teachings of the Temple.THE TENSION BETWEEN THE WORLDSBy developing and maintaining the opposing Dayside and Nightsideperspectives, the Vampire produces a powerful stress between theworlds of truth and fantasy. The result is a growing capacity to causechange in the material world by magical means such that dreams of theNight leave footprints in the Day.TEMPLE DEVELOPMENTAL LEVELS.There are several divisions and levels within the Temple based uponthe successful application of the Higher Teachings which are madeavailable in order of development.A Lifetime Member is any individual who has made some materialdonation to the Temple such as money or other exchangeable objects ofvalue. A Lifetime Member is eligible to obtain The Vampire Bible, theVampire Ritual Medallion and the Vampire Temple Ring upon making asuitable minimum donation as listed in the "Current OfferingsAvailable" sheet.An Active Member is a Lifetime Member who makes formal application foraffiliation and is granted entrance by the Council for advanced study.This is considered the First Circle of the Outer Temple and carriesthe title of Vampire Initiate. The Vampire Predator is the SecondCircle of the Outer Temple and is the title granted to the VampireInitiate who successfully achieves specific results in Vampiricdevelopment both earthly and magical. The Priesthood of UR is theThird Circle of the Temple of the Vampire and is also known as TheInner Temple or the Temple of the Dragon. A Vampire Priest orPriestess has successfully demonstrated an advanced application of theprinciples of Vampirism and has sworn an Oath to serve the Temple.The Priesthood of UR is the Gateway to the Hidden Mysteries of theTemple from which this earthly world is quite literally ruled. TheseMysteries are revealed to those who prove themselves worthy of suchtrust. The affiliations of the oldest organization on earth are, ofcourse, numerous and far-ranging. (ET IN ARCADIA EGO . . . ).MAGICAL RITUAL.A Vampire is made, not born. This making comes from direct andpersonal contact with the Undead Gods. The original and correctpurpose of all magical ritual is to attract and meet with the Undeadin the sacred act of Vampiric Communion. The gatherings for VampiricCommunion have always drawn the human aspirants as well as Those WhoHave Risen to remote and isolated settings and shall continue to do sountil the end of the world.INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP ACTIVITIES.At all levels of the Temple, the sacred ritual magic ceremonies ofVampiric Communion (The Calling of the Undead) are entered into toachieve magical results. Vampiric Communion can be enjoyed in solitaryritual or in group ceremony. It is entirely possible for the solitarymember to successfully pursue Vampirism without physically evermeeting another member. While there is no requirement forsocialization, most members discover that not only is ritualstrengthened by numbers but a thirst to be in the presence of those ofour own kind can only be quenched by such meetings. For this reason,the Temple commonly conducts Conclaves, often annually, at variousinternational locations to better enable contact between interestedactive members. Details are provided in a timely fashion for activemembers expressing an interest in such meetings.AFFILIATION.To acquire additional information on application for membership, youmust submit a written letter and a token donation (usually $5 U.S.) tothe Temple requesting current information. What you are now reading isthe whole of what shall be made available through the Internet so asto retain control over those accepted as members. This Temple is notfor everyone.Above all, the Temple exists to serve the Undead Gods. Those whosimply expect to be entertained will be ignored. Those who refuse tomake strong personal efforts to serve by study and application will beexpelled.Vampirism is real and most ancient. Mortal life is swift and short. Wemay pick and choose amongst the billions to replenish the Elite. Youhave just this one opportunity for life undying. Your next actionswill decide your future as either just another mortal lost to thewinds of time, or as one who will join Us as a true Vampire, anundying Ruler of this earth.The choice is yours...

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